explanation
Collocations
45(noun.)
ADJ
convincing, credible, good, likely, logical, natural, obvious, plausible, probable, rational
The doctor offered a logical explanation for why the patient's symptoms had worsened so suddenly.
implausible, inadequate, unlikely | acceptable, adequate, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient
no apparent
The scientist couldn't find any apparent explanation for why the plants died so quickly.
clear, coherent | complete, comprehensive, detailed, full | partial | complex, complicated | easy, simple
innocent, prosaic
There must be a prosaic explanation for why the lights kept flickering in the old house.
convenient
accepted, traditional
The traditional explanation for why we shake hands dates back to medieval times.
official | possible | lengthy, long | verbal | general
common
One common explanation for why people are late is that they underestimate how long things take.
only, sole
The doctor said stress was the only explanation for her constant headaches.
causal
The doctor offered a causal explanation for why the patient kept getting headaches every morning.
ad hoc, post hoc
The teacher gave an ad hoc explanation when students asked unexpected questions during the lesson.
cultural, historical, political, psychological, scientific, sociological, technical, theoretical
VERB + EXPLANATION
have
The mechanic had a clear explanation for why the car engine kept overheating.
give (sb), offer (sb), provide (sb with)
The teacher provided the students with a clear explanation of how photosynthesis works.
enter into, go into, launch into
The teacher went into a thorough explanation of how photosynthesis works in plants.
advance, propose, put forward
The teacher put forward an explanation for why so many students failed the test.
call for, need, require
His strange behavior at the meeting required an explanation from the boss.
look for, seek
find, think of
We finally found an explanation for why the kitchen smelled so bad.
ask for, demand
The teacher asked for an explanation when she noticed the missing homework assignments.
wait for
deserve, merit
His sudden disappearance certainly merited an explanation from the team.
owe sb
After missing the meeting, she owed her boss a detailed explanation.
accept
defy
The magician's trick defied explanation, leaving the audience completely puzzled.
EXPLANATION + VERB
lie
The real explanation lies in the fact that she forgot to set her alarm clock last night.
emerge, occur to sb, present itself, suggest itself
A possible explanation for the accident occurred to the witness as she watched the security footage again.
PREP
in ~
She paused and then smiled in explanation, realizing he hadn't understood her joke.
without ~
The manager cancelled the meeting without explanation, leaving everyone confused and frustrated.
~ about
The teacher gave a clear explanation about why plants need sunlight to grow.
~ as to
The manager offered an explanation as to how the new system would work for everyone.
~ for
She couldn't find a good explanation for why she was late to work again.
~ from
The student asked for an explanation from the professor about the confusing math problem.
PHRASES
an attempt at explanation
She gave up trying to offer any attempt at explanation and simply walked away.
by way of explanation
She arrived late to the meeting, and by way of explanation, mentioned her car had broken down.